Boys Scouts from all over the area came together last weekend in Long County, to commemorate the 30th annual Father/Son Freeze-Out campout.
“It’s a great weekend, where family members can get together and campout, and spend some quality time together,” Hinesville Troop 500 Scoutmaster Danny Peller said.
The event kicked off in the evening pf Jan. 22 at the Rye Patch Horse Farm and Clubhouse and, according to staff member Mike Murrin, there were 529 participants who came for the event.
Frank Patterson, co-chairman for the Freeze-Out, said, “We had 30 troops here as of Friday, and the people are still signing in today (Saturday).”
Patterson is scoutmaster of Troop 295 out of Guyton and added, “This campout lets fathers and sons get together, and lets the kids show their dads what they experience in Scouting, you could say it’s Scouting in action.”
Patterson said the Freeze-Out was in jeopardy of not taking place this year due to the Coastal Empire Council not having a facility large enough to accommodate the number of campers always in attendance.
“We’ve been doing this at Camp Blue Heron, but it was sold a little over a year ago, and the new camp is in the early stages of being established, so we were fortunate to be able to get with Tim (Works) and have it here,” said Patterson.
Works owns Rye Patch Horse Farm.
Works, who attained the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts, said, “When I was told that they were needing a large place, I said we can make that happen.”
Some of the events that took place during the campout included black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing, knot-lashing, a buffalo cook-out, and a father/son .22 caliber rifle marksmanship competition.
In addition to the fun activities the fathers and sons also got to witness the release of five wild peacocks at the ranch. Patterson brought one rooster and four hens, and donated them to Works to add to his wildlife collection at the Clubhouse.
The Freeze-Out was started back in 1980 by Bob English who is the scoutmaster of Troop 24 in Savannah and who was the other co-chairman of this year’s outing.
“It hasn’t been bad this weekend (the weather), we have had this when it has been as cold as 18 degrees,” he said
English added, “This weekend is about relationships, many of the fathers who come out for this campout tell me that this is one of the few times out of the year, where they spend all of their time with their son.”
Patterson said, “When you sum it all up, the weekend brings out the best in Scouting.”
The campout wrapped up last Sunday.
“It’s a great weekend, where family members can get together and campout, and spend some quality time together,” Hinesville Troop 500 Scoutmaster Danny Peller said.
The event kicked off in the evening pf Jan. 22 at the Rye Patch Horse Farm and Clubhouse and, according to staff member Mike Murrin, there were 529 participants who came for the event.
Frank Patterson, co-chairman for the Freeze-Out, said, “We had 30 troops here as of Friday, and the people are still signing in today (Saturday).”
Patterson is scoutmaster of Troop 295 out of Guyton and added, “This campout lets fathers and sons get together, and lets the kids show their dads what they experience in Scouting, you could say it’s Scouting in action.”
Patterson said the Freeze-Out was in jeopardy of not taking place this year due to the Coastal Empire Council not having a facility large enough to accommodate the number of campers always in attendance.
“We’ve been doing this at Camp Blue Heron, but it was sold a little over a year ago, and the new camp is in the early stages of being established, so we were fortunate to be able to get with Tim (Works) and have it here,” said Patterson.
Works owns Rye Patch Horse Farm.
Works, who attained the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts, said, “When I was told that they were needing a large place, I said we can make that happen.”
Some of the events that took place during the campout included black powder shooting, tomahawk throwing, knot-lashing, a buffalo cook-out, and a father/son .22 caliber rifle marksmanship competition.
In addition to the fun activities the fathers and sons also got to witness the release of five wild peacocks at the ranch. Patterson brought one rooster and four hens, and donated them to Works to add to his wildlife collection at the Clubhouse.
The Freeze-Out was started back in 1980 by Bob English who is the scoutmaster of Troop 24 in Savannah and who was the other co-chairman of this year’s outing.
“It hasn’t been bad this weekend (the weather), we have had this when it has been as cold as 18 degrees,” he said
English added, “This weekend is about relationships, many of the fathers who come out for this campout tell me that this is one of the few times out of the year, where they spend all of their time with their son.”
Patterson said, “When you sum it all up, the weekend brings out the best in Scouting.”
The campout wrapped up last Sunday.